October Trivia
Mar, 06 2012 SSCC News and InfoTrivia Questions
October Trivia Question
Q: This month we have an unusual question from the trivia committee. Over the years, Corvette owners and aficionados have come up with terms to describe various Corvette attributes, options, styling cues and mechanical parts. Some of these terms have become so ingrained into Corvette lore that they seem like official terminology. Big Block and Small Block were user coined terms that became GM terms.
Here is the question. There is an item on a Corvette that is named after something you chew? What is the item and what is the name?
A: This was one of those questions that the Trivia Question Committee thought was cut and dried, one answer, no gray areas. We leave it to Trivia Guru Dennis Grant to prove the committee wrong. Our answer was Chicklet. The Chicklet was the little GM emblem that was placed on the left rear quarter panel of 2006-2009 Corvettes. You can see it in the photo below. This is a photo of a pre-production 2010 Grand Sport. At the time the photo was taken, there was still to be Chicklets on all GM cars. When the 2011 models appeared, the chicklet was gone from all GM cars.
Here are Dennis' guesses. They really show a knowlege of Corvette lore.
Bread loaf: The nickname for the large ungainly padded area where a glove box would normally be in 1983 - 1989 Corvettes. The term is not a compliment.
Clam shell: A hood design that hinges at the front and offers access to the engine, tires and suspension. Used in the C4 Corvettes.
Cuisinart: A wheel style used in 1991 Corvettes, nicknamed due to the design similarity with the food processor.
Egg Crate: A front fender vent cover style used in 1970-1972 Corvettes, nicknamed due to the design similarity with an egg crate.
Q: This month we have an unusual question from the trivia committee. Over the years, Corvette owners and aficionados have come up with terms to describe various Corvette attributes, options, styling cues and mechanical parts. Some of these terms have become so ingrained into Corvette lore that they seem like official terminology. Big Block and Small Block were user coined terms that became GM terms.
Here is the question. There is an item on a Corvette that is named after something you chew? What is the item and what is the name?
A: This was one of those questions that the Trivia Question Committee thought was cut and dried, one answer, no gray areas. We leave it to Trivia Guru Dennis Grant to prove the committee wrong. Our answer was Chicklet. The Chicklet was the little GM emblem that was placed on the left rear quarter panel of 2006-2009 Corvettes. You can see it in the photo below. This is a photo of a pre-production 2010 Grand Sport. At the time the photo was taken, there was still to be Chicklets on all GM cars. When the 2011 models appeared, the chicklet was gone from all GM cars.
Here are Dennis' guesses. They really show a knowlege of Corvette lore.
Bread loaf: The nickname for the large ungainly padded area where a glove box would normally be in 1983 - 1989 Corvettes. The term is not a compliment.
Clam shell: A hood design that hinges at the front and offers access to the engine, tires and suspension. Used in the C4 Corvettes.
Cuisinart: A wheel style used in 1991 Corvettes, nicknamed due to the design similarity with the food processor.
Egg Crate: A front fender vent cover style used in 1970-1972 Corvettes, nicknamed due to the design similarity with an egg crate.
September Trivia
Nov, 29 2011 SSCC News and InfoTrivia Questions
September Trivia Question
Q: While at Carlisle this August, I was eating lunch under the bleachers and overheard bits and pieces of a conversation between two Corvette aficionados. Below is some of the bits that I could hear. What was being discussed?
"...staggered bolt holes... 7 fin... casting flaw... 9 fin..."
What was being discussed? And for extra credit, elaborate on the four items.
A: Again, Corvette scholar Dennis Grand and resident Corvette Genius Ron Campot raised their hands with the correct answers. To quote Dennis:
Answer: Cast Alloy Valve Covers
“Staggered bolt holes” – 1956 through 1959 valve covers had staggered mounting holes.
“7 fin” – optional small block engines from 1960 through 1967 had 7 fin, straight across mounting hole valve covers. Base engine valve covers were stamped steel painted to match engine.
“Casting flaw” – during late production 1966, and through 1967, the mold cracked and a flaw showed up creating a line through the letter "o" in the script Corvette. So the correct alloy covers for late 66 and all of 67 should contain the flaw.
“9 fin” – optional engines from 1956 through 1959, had 9 fin, staggered mounting hole valve covers. Base engine valve covers were stamped steel painted to match engine.
Just an FYI: All 1968 through 1980 base 327s and 350s used stamped steel valve covers, painted to match engine color; the 1968 350hp engine used stamped steel chrome plated valve covers. All 1969 through 1977 hi-performance engine (350hp, LT-1s, L82s) used cast aluminum valve covers; 1978 through 1980 L82s and all 1981 and 1982 valve covers were black aluminum.
Q: While at Carlisle this August, I was eating lunch under the bleachers and overheard bits and pieces of a conversation between two Corvette aficionados. Below is some of the bits that I could hear. What was being discussed?
"...staggered bolt holes... 7 fin... casting flaw... 9 fin..."
What was being discussed? And for extra credit, elaborate on the four items.
A: Again, Corvette scholar Dennis Grand and resident Corvette Genius Ron Campot raised their hands with the correct answers. To quote Dennis:
Answer: Cast Alloy Valve Covers
“Staggered bolt holes” – 1956 through 1959 valve covers had staggered mounting holes.
“7 fin” – optional small block engines from 1960 through 1967 had 7 fin, straight across mounting hole valve covers. Base engine valve covers were stamped steel painted to match engine.
“Casting flaw” – during late production 1966, and through 1967, the mold cracked and a flaw showed up creating a line through the letter "o" in the script Corvette. So the correct alloy covers for late 66 and all of 67 should contain the flaw.
“9 fin” – optional engines from 1956 through 1959, had 9 fin, staggered mounting hole valve covers. Base engine valve covers were stamped steel painted to match engine.
Just an FYI: All 1968 through 1980 base 327s and 350s used stamped steel valve covers, painted to match engine color; the 1968 350hp engine used stamped steel chrome plated valve covers. All 1969 through 1977 hi-performance engine (350hp, LT-1s, L82s) used cast aluminum valve covers; 1978 through 1980 L82s and all 1981 and 1982 valve covers were black aluminum.
August Trivia
Oct, 18 2011 SSCC News and InfoTrivia Questions
August Trivia Question
Q: While at Carlisle this August, I was eating lunch under the bleachers and overheard bits and pieces of a conversation between two Corvette aficionados. Below is some of the bits that I could hear. What was being discussed?
"...staggered bolt holes... 7 fin... casting flaw... 9 fin..."
What was being discussed? And for extra credit, elaborate on the four items.
Good luck. Answers by September 30 and Trivia in the subject line. Email to the link at the bottom of the page.
August Trivia Question
Q: This is another photo related question. The photo to the right is of one of the original 1963 Grand Sports. For those of you unfamiliar with the Grand Sports, here is some background info. Only 5 were built although 125 were planned. All 5 still remain and are in the hands of private individuals, not GM. All were built as coupes but 2 were converted into roadsters.
Now onto the question. In the photo, there are what appear to be 2 round black dots above the gill panel on the right front fender. What are these?
A: Dennis Grant again came through with the correct answer. The left or rearward hole is a fitting for a pneumatic jack system that raises the car for tire changes. Due to the light weight of the car, the frame and body work were fragile and the pneumatic jacks prevented damage and also reduced the time in the pits. The forward fitting is sometimes referred to as a coolant filler but as you can see in the photo, it is labeled as an oil filler on GS 005. The image detail above is Copyright by Michael Hanson from his website located here and used with permission.
Q: While at Carlisle this August, I was eating lunch under the bleachers and overheard bits and pieces of a conversation between two Corvette aficionados. Below is some of the bits that I could hear. What was being discussed?
"...staggered bolt holes... 7 fin... casting flaw... 9 fin..."
What was being discussed? And for extra credit, elaborate on the four items.
Good luck. Answers by September 30 and Trivia in the subject line. Email to the link at the bottom of the page.
August Trivia Question
Q: This is another photo related question. The photo to the right is of one of the original 1963 Grand Sports. For those of you unfamiliar with the Grand Sports, here is some background info. Only 5 were built although 125 were planned. All 5 still remain and are in the hands of private individuals, not GM. All were built as coupes but 2 were converted into roadsters.Now onto the question. In the photo, there are what appear to be 2 round black dots above the gill panel on the right front fender. What are these?
A: Dennis Grant again came through with the correct answer. The left or rearward hole is a fitting for a pneumatic jack system that raises the car for tire changes. Due to the light weight of the car, the frame and body work were fragile and the pneumatic jacks prevented damage and also reduced the time in the pits. The forward fitting is sometimes referred to as a coolant filler but as you can see in the photo, it is labeled as an oil filler on GS 005. The image detail above is Copyright by Michael Hanson from his website located here and used with permission.June Trivia
Sep, 01 2011 SSCC News and InfoTrivia Questions
June Trivia Question
Q: This question is a bit unusual. (Aren't they all?) Below you will see the exact text to an classified ad for a Corvette. This text was supposedly written in 1972. Why is it not possible to have been written then?
FOR SALE: 1967 C2 Corvette
Coupe. 427 engine 435 HP.
4-speed close ratio transmission.
4:11 Posi. Red with black interior.
Very clean.
A: We had two correct answers this month. Thanks to Dennis Grant and Jerry Martin for their correct answers.
In 1997 when the all new Corvette was unveiled, it was christened the C5. Prior to this time, there was no numerical designation assigned to the Corvette generations. Vettes older than 1984 were usually known as Sharks, Midyears and Solid Axels. When GM coined the C5 moniker, the Corvette community then took it upon themselves to use the C1, C2, C3, and C4 identifiers for previous models.
So.... the ad could not have a C2 reference and also have been written in 1972.
Q: This question is a bit unusual. (Aren't they all?) Below you will see the exact text to an classified ad for a Corvette. This text was supposedly written in 1972. Why is it not possible to have been written then?
FOR SALE: 1967 C2 Corvette
Coupe. 427 engine 435 HP.
4-speed close ratio transmission.
4:11 Posi. Red with black interior.
Very clean.
A: We had two correct answers this month. Thanks to Dennis Grant and Jerry Martin for their correct answers.
In 1997 when the all new Corvette was unveiled, it was christened the C5. Prior to this time, there was no numerical designation assigned to the Corvette generations. Vettes older than 1984 were usually known as Sharks, Midyears and Solid Axels. When GM coined the C5 moniker, the Corvette community then took it upon themselves to use the C1, C2, C3, and C4 identifiers for previous models.
So.... the ad could not have a C2 reference and also have been written in 1972.
May Trivia Q&A
Jul, 18 2011 SSCC News and InfoTrivia Questions
May Trivia Question
Q: After last months brain buster we are going for something a little easier. Corvettes are most famous for one component used in their construction, that being fiberglas. This month we are looking at another material that has played a somewhat famous roll in the Corvette, although not as well know as Fiberglas. Name two notable places where real wood (not wood grained plastic) has been used in the Corvette. Please be as specific as possible. Answer by May 31, 2011. Good luck.
A: We had two correct answers this month and a number of runner ups. Thanks to Elaine Kemp and Dennis Grant for nailing the answers.
The first notable use of wood in a Corvette was the N32 Teak wood steering wheel. This was available in 1965 and 1966 only. In 1965 the option cost $48.45 and was installed on 2,259 Corvettes. In 1966, the cost was $47.40 and was installed on 3,941 Corvettes. An old Corvette joke is that of the 6200 teak wheels installed in '65 and '66 only 25,000 still exist.
Today, an original teak wheel will cost in excess of $1000. Reproduction wheels are usually in the $500 range. That $48.45 in 1965 would coat $332.23 today.
The other use for wood in a Corvette, is a bit more contemporary. The floor panels in the C5 and C6 Corvettes are a sandwich of composites and balsa wood. In the standard Corvette, the outer surfaces are Fiberglas with the balsa inner core. On the Z06 and ZR1, the outer surfaces are carbon fiber. These panels are made by Molded Fiber Glass Companies, (MFG) located in Ashtabula, Ohio.
Some of you mentioned the C3 wood grained option. That, unfortunately was not wood but wood grained plastic.
Q: After last months brain buster we are going for something a little easier. Corvettes are most famous for one component used in their construction, that being fiberglas. This month we are looking at another material that has played a somewhat famous roll in the Corvette, although not as well know as Fiberglas. Name two notable places where real wood (not wood grained plastic) has been used in the Corvette. Please be as specific as possible. Answer by May 31, 2011. Good luck.
A: We had two correct answers this month and a number of runner ups. Thanks to Elaine Kemp and Dennis Grant for nailing the answers.The first notable use of wood in a Corvette was the N32 Teak wood steering wheel. This was available in 1965 and 1966 only. In 1965 the option cost $48.45 and was installed on 2,259 Corvettes. In 1966, the cost was $47.40 and was installed on 3,941 Corvettes. An old Corvette joke is that of the 6200 teak wheels installed in '65 and '66 only 25,000 still exist.
Today, an original teak wheel will cost in excess of $1000. Reproduction wheels are usually in the $500 range. That $48.45 in 1965 would coat $332.23 today.
The other use for wood in a Corvette, is a bit more contemporary. The floor panels in the C5 and C6 Corvettes are a sandwich of composites and balsa wood. In the standard Corvette, the outer surfaces are Fiberglas with the balsa inner core. On the Z06 and ZR1, the outer surfaces are carbon fiber. These panels are made by Molded Fiber Glass Companies, (MFG) located in Ashtabula, Ohio.Some of you mentioned the C3 wood grained option. That, unfortunately was not wood but wood grained plastic.